Value of 18F NaF PET/CT in the detection and global quantification of cardiovascular molecular calcification as part of the atherosclerotic process

摘要

Detection of early ongoing cardiovascular molecular calcification and its quantification through 18F-labeled sodium fluoride ( 18F NaF) PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging has been a recent addition to the diagnostic armamentarium of molecular imaging for the atherosclerotic process. At present, visual detection of molecular calcification as well as its regional quantification on ( 18F NaF) PET/CT are suboptimal, mainly because of the very low degree of uptake of this radiotracer in the heart and major vessels, and hence subject to the partial volume effect. Calculation of cardiovascular 18F NaF uptake in the heart and arterial wall using automated software is an innovative approach. 18F-NaF uptake in the heart and arterial wall using automated software is an innovative approach.